Gate-latch or the like.



E. J. BRADY.

GATE-LATCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLlCATlON men AUG.2. I915.

' Patented Oct. 8,1918.

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E. 1. BRADY. GATE LATCH OR THE LIKE.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. I916. 1,280,653.

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' E. J. BRADY. GATE LATCH OR THE LIKE. APFLICATION FILED AUG-2' 1916.

1,280,653. Patented 0a. 8,1918.

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Edwnm I rac/ v cl y sn'rns FATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. BRADY, 0F CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO IOWA GATE COMPANY, OF

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA.

GATE-LATCH on THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. BRADY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Falls, in the county of Blackhawk and State of Iowa, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Gate- Latches or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as gate latches, and relates particularly to a device for locking swing ing gates, the same being particularly adapted for that style of gate that may be swung in either direction. The invention has among its objects the production of a gate latching device of the kind described. that is simple, convenient, durable, efficient and satisfactory, that will not easily get out of order nor be affected in its operation by weather conditions, and which may be used wherever found applicable. The invention has particularly among its objects the production of a device that will securely and automatically lock or secure the gate against opening, regardless of whether the gate is of the rigid or tilting type, or of wood, steel or other material. It has among other objects the production of a device that I will not be rendered inoperative or ineifi- 30 cient when, the gate sagsror is tilted, or if the fence or gate posts shouldsag or settle, and which cannot he accidentally operated by stock or otherwise. It has among other objects the production of a device which may consist of a plurality of locking elements or arms, all of which may be operated or controlled simultaneously in a simple manner, but which elements are independ? cntly operative and controllable, so that in case any of the elements are notoperated or are rendered inoperative, for ,any reason whatsoever, the efficiency and effectiveness of the device will not be impaired, butthat the operative parts will perform theirusual functions and accomplish the result desired.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will appear to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein made.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims, r 5

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, V Figurevl 1s a view in elevation ofan adjustable tilting type of gate with my latch the complete device, the upper portion being partially shown in section;

F g. 5 s a top elevation of the same; F g. 6 1s a sectional view taken substantially on lines 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is'a perspective view of one ofthe fork engaging members;

- Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 88 ofFig. 4;

Patented Oct. 8, 1918.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a portion of the device; v

. Fig. 10 is a sectional view, similar to Fig.

8,'illusti'ating a-slight modification;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 11 11 of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12is a front elevation of the device, illustrating the independent action and control of the parts.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, 1 and 2 represent any style of fence or gate posts between which is arranged the gate which, as previouslystated, may be the rigid type or that type known as a tilting gate, that illustrated being adapted to swing in either direction. Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the gate shown consists of the end bars 3 and 4:, and connecting bars 5 and 6,

the partsbeing suit-ably connected in any desired manner. The gate maybe covered with any suitable wire, wire netting or fabric, this depending on the particular use.

to which the gate is to be put. In the gate shown end bar 3 is pivotally secured to and supported by the post 1, the opposite end being the free end of the gate, which may be swung in either direction past the post 2.

The, gate illustrated is of the tilting or adjustable type, so that the free end of the gate may be raised orlowered as desired, the

locking device being applicable'for the same, regardless of its adjustment or the means for supporting the free end of the gate.

The complete latch or lock illustrated in the drawing consists substantially of two or more latch or locking devices arranged to be ception of the slight differences hereinafter referred to. It is immaterial whether or not the devices are placed on the gate post and arranged to engage the end bar of the gate or on the gate and arranged to engage the gate post, but the first arrangement being preferred, I have illustrated that.

Each latch preferably consists of a base plate 11, provided with a. pair of extending parallel flanges 12 and 13, arranged one above the other. These are formed with the shoulders or abutments 14c and 15 (see Figs. 3 and 9) and the plate is preferably recessed or cut away as shown at 16 (see Fig. 8). I also provide an inclined or cam face 17 on each side intermediate the shoulders 1d and the face of the plate, the purpose being more fully described hereafter.

Carried between the flanges is a gate engaging member 18, or latch, provided with the extending arms 19, the same forming substantially a V-shaped member or fork arranged to embrace the bar at when the gate is closed (see Fig. 5), the ends of the fork 19 being preferably enlarged so as to guard against injury to stock that might rub against the same in passing through the gate opening. In the preferred construction shown, I pivotally secure the member 18 between the flanges by a tubular pin or bushing 20, 21 being a spring washer which may be inserted as shown to act as a brake or yieldingly oppose the pivoting movement of part 18 about the pin 20, he pin 20 is shown with the'tubular opening tapered as at 22, and the same is supported in place by the shoulder or flange 28 formed on flange 18. Tapering the pin 20, as shown, prevents binding on the rod.

was before mentioned, two latching devices are shown as constituting the omplete latch or lock. Extending through the tubular pins 20 on the upper and lower flanges, as well as through any intermediate pins, in case more than two latch devices are employed, is an operating or latch release controlling rod 24;, which carries means for engaging the several members 18. I have shown two forms of engaging or latch locking members,the same beingsubstantially similar, except that the upper one is capped over,.as will be hereinafter referred to. The upper member 25 is shown in Figs. 4, '5, 6

and 7, and consists of the part 25 formed with a chamber or recess 29 therein, hooded or closed at the top, the same having a depending leg or fork engaging member 27 at each side. In the construction shown the recess in the head is elongated rather than circular. The member 26 is substantially identical, the legs 28 being similar to the legs 27 of the upper member, except that the top. is open so that the rod 24 may pass therethrough. Obviously, member 26 might be employed at the top of the rod in lieu of member 25, and in the case of intermediate latches, members similar to 26 would ordinarily be employed. The members 25 and 26 are secured to the rod by means of the pins 30, or their equivalents, for the purpose As is obvious, the head locking members may be tilted on the operating rod without binding. I preferably place a collar or stop 31 at the lower end of the rod, and, if desired, a spring 32 may also be arranged as shown (see Fig. 6).

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11, 2 represents the fence post, 36 the plate carrying the flanges, between. which is arranged the forked member 37. 39 represents the legs of a fork engaging member. In this case, in lieu of the spring washer previously described, or supplemental thereto, I roughen the top face of the fork member, as at 38, and similarly form the lower end of the legs 39, as shown at 40 in Fig. 11. This tends to retard the movement of the forked member and prevent back throw when the gate is thrown from one side to the other.

The operation of the devices may be briefly explained as follows: Assuming that the gate is shut, so that the forks and fork engaging members and rod 21- are substantially as shown in 1, 4:, 5, 6 and S, if it is desired to open the gate, the same is released by raising the rod 24:, thereby raising the fork engaging members. (See Fig. 2, in which engaging member 26 is raised). Pressure applied on the gate will cause movement of the fork members substantially as indicated in Fig. 8, and by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, the legs 27 and 28 being raised out of engaging position between the shoulders 14 and 15 on the base plate and shoulders 18 on the forked member, as shown in. Fig. 8. The fork member moves sufiiciently to release the gate end bar a, permitting the gate to be swung open as muchas desired. The fork members remain in their adjusted or open position so as to engage the gate when again moved to closed position. Any back throw or accidental movement is normally prevented by the spring washers 21, these acting substantially as yielding brakes. Of course as soon as the forked members have moved sufiiciently so that the fork members are under the ad- .ber, the engaging member drops into position to engage the shoulder on, the other side, thereby not only stopping the movement of the gate, but automatically engaging the fork so as to lock the gate shut until the parts are again manipulated as described. It is obvious that the operation would be the same regardless of how many forks were employed. V

The device is operative if only one fork is engaged, so that the efficiency oroperation of the device is in no way impaired in case the gate is tilted sufliciently to engage only one'fork, or if the gate or gate posts should sag or otherwise get out of normal arrangement the device would still be operative. This may best be described by referring to Fig. 12, in which the upper fork is shown in closed or locking, position by the full lines and by dotted lines as thrown to the right, while the lower fork is shown as thrown to the right. -Assuming that both forks are to the right andthe gate is opened, the upper fork and engaging member will be as indicated in the dotted lines, and the lower fork .and engaging member as indicated in the full lines. In this case it will be noted that the pins 30 are in engagement with the lower end of the slots 29 in the members 25 and 26. Assume that the gate is moved to closed, position, but that the lower fork is not engaged or moved, the upper fork being moved to the position shown in the full lines: As soon as the fork reaches the closed position shown the leg 27 will drop down so as to engage be.- hind the shoulder, locking the fork against movement. The member may drop to engaging position, due to the slot 29, even though the rod 24 does not drop. Referring to Fig. 12, it will be noted thatin the dotted lines the locking member rests one side upon one of the flanges, this point being substan-' tially a fulcrum point, so that when the latch is moved to closed position the leg 27 (Fig. 12) moves faster than the ordinary drop, due to gravitation on account ofthe leverage at the .ful'c'rumpo nt mentioned.

In case that'the "upp'er'f ork is not moved, .but the lower fork movedback, member 26 would likewise drop into operative engaging position by virtue of its weight. and

leverage, so that the lower pin 30 would engage in the upper end of the slot 29.of

part 26. -This is important, as while the devices, regardless of the number of'forks, may be. simultaneously released or locked, they are also independently operable. Owing to the open spaces between the shoulders 14, 15 and 18, the parts are freely operable and but slightly affected by weather conditions. In case the rod carrying the fork engaging member should turn or partially rotate, owing to the cam or beveled faces 17, the fork engaging mem bers will be guided to operative position, thereby bringing the rod back. to proper adjustment. From the above description it will be seen that the device is substantially applicable for any type or style of gate;

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit .of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A gate latch of the kind described, com-- prising a base plate having a flange projecting from the face thereof, a gate latching member carried thereby, and means for pivthereof, comprising a locking member having extending legs of alength to project between the plate and said latch member, and vertically movable means for tiltably supporting said locking member.

3. A. gate, latch of the kind described, comprising abase plate having a flange projecting'from the face thereof, and formed with shoulders ateach side of said fiange,,a latching member carried by said flange, and having shoulders thereon adjacent the shoul} ders at said flange, but spaced therefrom, a tubular pin extending through and pivot ally securing said member on said "flange, a rod extending throughsaid tubular pin and slidable therein, and means carried by said rod. for engaging said shoulders and normally preventing the pivotalmovement of the latch member. 7 A

t. A gate latch of the kind described, comprising a base plate having a flange projecting from the face thereof and formed with shoulders at each side of said flange, a latching member carried by said flange, and having shoulders thereon ad acent the shoulders at said flange, but spaced therefrom,a tubular pin extending through and pivotally securing said latch member on said flange, a rod extending through said tubular pin and slidable therein, an inverted U-shaped looking member provided with a depending leg at each side of a size to extend between and cooperate with said shoulders and formed with an opening through the same interme diat the said legs, said locking member mounted on said rod, and means for adjustably securing said member to the rod.

5. In a gate locking device of the kind described and in combination, a base plate provided with two horizontally extending flanges and formed with shoulders at the sides thereof, a U-shaped member arranged between. the said flanges with the legs of the U extending therefrom, said member having shoulders formed thereon at the base of the U, a tubular pin carried by said flanges and extending through said U-shaped member, a rod extending through said pin, and a locking member carried by said rod, said member provided with extending parts arranged to normally project between the shoulders at the flanges and the shoulders 011 said U-shaped member, said rod slidable through said pin a distance suflicient to raise the locking member, whereby the extended parts thereof will clear the shoulders on said U-shaped member, and permit the pivotal movement thereof about" said pin.

6. In a gate latching device of the kind described andin combination, a base plate provided with a pair of spaced flanges, and formed with shoulders at each'side of said flanges, the plate at the upper flange inclined upwardly from the shoulders to the face of the plate. a U-shaped gate engaging member having shoulders on each side at the base of the U, a tubular pin carried by said flanges and projecting from the base of the Ushaped member, a rod extending through said pin and slidable therein, a locking member adjustably carried by said rod, and provided with depending legs, one at each side of the rod, said legs each of a size to project betweenrthe shoulders on the base plate and the adjacent shoulder on the U-shaped member, and cooperate therewith.

7; In a gatelatching device ofthe kind described and in combination, a base plate provided with a pair of spaced flanges, and formed with'shoulders at each 'side' of said flanges, the plate at the upper flange inclined upwardly from the shouldersto the face of the plate, a'U-shaped gate engaging member having shoulders on each sideat the base of the U, a tubular pin carried by said flanges and projecting through the base of the U-shaped member, a rod extending through said pin and slidable therein, a locking member adjustably carried by said rod and provided with depending legs, one at each side of the rod, said legs each of a size to project between the shoulders on the base plate and the adjacent shoulder on the U-shaped member, said locking member tiltably carried by said rod and adjustable lengthwise thereof.

8. In a gate locking device of the kind described and in combination, a base plate having spaced flanges with shoulders on each side, a U-shaped latch member carried between the flanges, and having a shoulder on each side, a tubular pin tapered internally and extending through said latch member, said lower flange formed with a seat for the lower end of said pin, a U-shaped locking member arranged above said flanges, with the legs of the U projecting downwardly in the path of the latch member between the shoulders on the base plate and latch memher, said locking member formed with an elongated opening therein, and with an elongated hole through the same on opposite sides, a rod extending through said tubularpin and into the opening in said locking member, and a pin extended through said rod and the elongated holes in said locking member.

9. In a gate locking device of the kind described and in combination, a base plate hav ing projecting flanges on one face thereof, a forked latch member pivotally carried thereby, a latch locking member arranged above said latch member, consisting of an integrally formed U-shaped member arranged to engage the latch member and lock the same against pivotal movement, and vertically movable supporting means for lifting said latch locking member out of operative position. i

10. In a gate locking device of the kind described and in combination, a base plate having projecting flanges on one face thereof, a forked latch member pivotally carried thereby, a latch locking member arranged above said latch member, consisting of an integrally formed U -shaped member arranged to engage the latch member and lock the same against pivotal movement, and means for lifting said latch locking member out of operative position, comprising a slidable rod and a pin extended through a hole in the rod and the locking member, the hole in one part being elongated to permit relative movement of the parts lengthwise the rod.

V 11. In a gate locking device of the land described and in combination, a pair of plates carried one above the other, each pro vided with projecting flanges from the base thereof with shoulders on each side of the flanges, a U-shapedlatch member carried by each plate between the flanges thereof, and each having a shoulder on each side, an internally tapered tubular pin for each pair of flanges, each extending through the forked latch member, a rod projecting from and through thelower pin to and through the upper pin, a locking member for each latch member, the lower locking member formed with an opening therethrough and arranged on said rod, means for pivotally securing said locking member to the rod, and a locking member arranged at the upper end of said rod, provided with a recess closed at its upper end over the top of the rod, means for securing the upper locking member to the rod, each of said locking members provided with depending legs adapted to normally exsaid tubular pins, and slidable relative there-- to, and means carried by said rod for normally engaging and preventing pivotal movement of said latch members about their respective pins.

13. In a gate latching device of the kind described and in combination, a pair of plates arranged one above the other, each having a flange projecting from the face thereof, a latch member arranged on each scribing witnesses.

flange member, a tubular pin carried by each flange and extending through and pivotally securing each latch member to its respective flange, a rod extending through said tubular pins, and slidable relative thereto, and means carried by said rod for normally engaging and preventing pivotal movement of said latch members about their respective pins, comprising a locking member adjustably carried by said rod adjacent the lower latch member, and a locking member adjustably carried adjacent the upper latch mem- 14. In a gate latching device of the kind described and in combination, a pair of plates arranged one above the other, each having a flange projecting from the face thereof, a latch member aranged on each flange member, a tubular pin carried by each flange and extending through and pivotally securing each latch member to its respective flange, a rod extending through said tubular pins, and slidable relative thereto, and means carried by said rod for normally engaging and preventing pivotal movement of said latch members about their respective pins, comprising a locking member arranged at the upper end of the rod above the upper latch member, and means for tiltably and adj ustably securing the same to the rod, and a latch member arranged adjacent the lower end of the rod above the lower latchmember, and means for tiltably and adjustably securing the same to the rod.

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two sub- EDWARD J. BRADY.

Witnesses:

J. B. CLAY, W. R. IRWIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

